JAPAN.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 14, 2 July 1864, Page 3

JAPAN.

; The following from the Japan Herald' \$ our latest intelligence:— •■' >'. ■ ;.; '. : "■'';,- i\ <■ , ;We have hnrjortant rumours from Miake, but more or less requiring confirmation. They are to the effect that the Council of Daimios, having agreed upon a peaceful policy, in reference to -the intercourse^ with foreigners, have now, in great measure, dispersed, to their, provinces, leaving the charge of that policy-' in the hands of Etzizen and ' other of their numbers, who continue at Miako. The Mikado has avowed that .the .representation of his will for expulsion of foreigners was made without authority, and that, - though previously undetermined in his mind upon the subject, he is now in favour of more extended and freb intercourse. The Tycoon will in all probability remain at i Miako until he shaU have fulfilled the duty now devolved upon him, of punishing Choshiu ; but it is said that he will .allow that rebellious ■Prince to escape more condign punishment if he makes ready obedience' to the mandate which will remove him to a territory, .where his powers for mischief can be more easily restrained. Every one who cares to know anything about tho country, knows the .yast , line .of xlcmarkation between the-Daimib and' 'military classes on the one side, and the merchants and traders on the other ; a fine so broad that the smallest two--Bwp<j|ed man of the former would seem to have regarded the wealthiest of the latter as one of an inferior race. How natural, then, is the universal wonderment that one of the haughtiest of the Daimios, tho great Kokoshioo Satsuma himself, has rushed into the ranks of trade. The (comparatively speakmg) large quantities of silk which have lately come into this market are, for the most part, a speculation of that Dahnio, whose recent experiences of and, intercourse with the English, appears to have had the effect of inoculating him with the money-making propensities of the nation of shop-keepers (as Napoleon called us). It seems he has bought up every available bale of the staple in Yedo at the lowest prices, for the purpose of sending them in here for sale to foreigners. It is said that remonstrances, lasting over some ten days, were made against so unusual a proceeding, but without avail ; — having tasted the sweets of the trade they were found too good to be relinquished for a custom — the pidgeon was persevered in, to the considerable benefit of Satsuma — tho probable enticing example to his class, albeit, to the no slight scandal of the Daimio — in tho Japanese conservative mind.